Alpacas, buses and pints: Five laws you may have missed in 2025

New protections for llamas vulnerable to dog attacks

Among the more surprising, yet no less significant, legislative developments of 2025 is the enhanced protection afforded to alpacas and llamas from dog attacks. These captivating camelids, often described as a charming blend of a horse and a sheep, have seen a remarkable surge in popularity across the UK. Originating from the South American Andes, alpacas and llamas are increasingly integrated into British agricultural landscapes, serving roles in fibre production, as guard animals for sheep, and even as therapy animals or tourist attractions. The Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) estimates that the UK now hosts a substantial population of approximately 45,000 alpacas and an additional 4,000 llamas.

Despite their growing presence, these gentle creatures have previously lacked the robust legal safeguards enjoyed by traditional livestock. Incidents of dogs, often off-lead, attacking and injuring or even killing alpacas and llamas have been a growing concern for farmers and animal welfare advocates. Recognizing this vulnerability, Parliament passed the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act. This crucial amendment now extends the same level of legal protection to alpacas and llamas as is already provided for goats, sheep, cattle, and poultry. The implications for dog owners are clear and substantial: irresponsible dog walkers whose pets attack these animals can now face an unlimited fine, alongside other potential penalties. This law aims not only to deter irresponsible pet ownership but also to provide greater peace of mind for those who breed and keep these increasingly common and cherished animals in the British countryside. Farmers are hopeful that this legislative change will reduce livestock worrying incidents, ensuring the safety and welfare of their herds.

Not-for-profit bus services given the green light

For years, the provision of bus services in the UK has been a contentious issue, particularly concerning routes deemed unprofitable by commercial operators. A previous ban on bus services being run as not-for-profit entities had constrained local authorities and community groups from stepping in to fill gaps left by private companies. However, 2025 witnessed a significant reversal of this policy with the Labour government’s introduction and passage of the Bus Services Act. This landmark legislation aims to revitalize public transport networks, particularly in rural and underserved areas, by empowering local councils to play a more direct role in service provision.

The Act tackles several critical issues. Firstly, it tightens requirements for commercial operators seeking to scrap routes, making it harder for companies to unilaterally cut services that are vital for local communities. This measure seeks to ensure greater stability and reliability in bus networks. More importantly, the new legislation lifts the ban on not-for-profit bus services, allowing councils and community organizations to take over and operate routes that commercial companies deem financially unviable. This is particularly beneficial for vulnerable passengers, such as the elderly, disabled individuals, and those living in remote rural areas, who often rely heavily on public transport for essential services, medical appointments, and social connections. Without these routes, many face significant isolation and hardship.

Beyond service provision, the Bus Services Act also introduces mandatory training for bus drivers and bus station staff. This training focuses on identifying and intervening in situations where vulnerable passengers might be at risk from antisocial behaviour or violence. This comprehensive approach aims to create a safer, more inclusive, and more accessible public transport environment for everyone, reflecting a broader commitment to public service and community well-being.

The British pint protected from going metric

In a move that delighted traditionalists and pub-goers alike, 2025 saw Parliament officially safeguard the iconic British pint, ensuring it will not be forced into metric obsolescence. The debate over imperial versus metric measurements has long been a subtle undercurrent in British cultural identity, often resurfacing in post-Brexit discussions about national sovereignty and tradition. Fears had arisen that the Labour government might push for a complete metrication, potentially abolishing the "iconic imperial measure" that holds such a deep-seated place in the nation’s cultural fabric.

However, the passage of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act put these concerns to rest. This Act explicitly protects the pint as a legal unit of measurement for specific goods, primarily beer, cider, and milk, ensuring that consumers will continue to receive their beloved 568ml beverage at the bar or from their local shop in its traditional form. The journey of the bill through Parliament was not without its moments of high drama, particularly in the House of Lords, where passionate arguments were made in defence of the pint’s historical significance. Peers waxed lyrical about its place in British history, cultural life, and even language, with countless idioms and phrases rooted in this distinctive measurement. The government, keen to assuage public sentiment and uphold cherished traditions, moved decisively to enshrine the pint’s status, preserving it for posterity. This legislative decision was widely seen as a symbolic victory for British heritage, reaffirming the value of cultural continuity in an ever-changing world.

Blanket bans on tenants’ pets lifted

For countless renters across the UK, the prospect of finding a home often came with the heartbreaking dilemma of having to part with a beloved pet. Blanket bans on pets in rental properties have long been a significant "bugbear," causing distress and limiting housing options for a large segment of the population. Landlords often cited concerns about potential damage, noise, or allergies as reasons for a universal ‘no pets’ policy, leaving many animal lovers in a difficult position.

However, 2025 brought welcome relief with fundamental changes introduced under the Renters Rights Act. This progressive legislation aims to create a fairer and more flexible rental market, and a key component addresses pet ownership. The new rules stipulate that landlords can no longer impose blanket bans on pets. Instead, each request for a pet to join a tenant must be considered on a case-by-case basis, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse such requests. This shift places a greater onus on landlords to justify any refusal, promoting dialogue and individual assessment over arbitrary rules.

While the Act empowers tenants, it also acknowledges legitimate concerns of landlords. Requests can still be denied if there are reasonable grounds, such as the property being genuinely too small for the proposed animal, the presence of other tenants with severe allergies in multi-occupancy buildings, or if the potential pet is illegal in the UK. This balanced approach seeks to foster responsible pet ownership while ensuring landlords’ properties are protected. Many tenant advocacy groups and animal welfare charities have hailed this as a significant step forward, promoting tenants’ well-being and reducing the number of pets surrendered to shelters due to housing constraints.

Rest in peace – or until we need your grave back

The solemn and romantic notion that loved ones, once laid to rest, will remain undisturbed in perpetuity, is a deeply held belief for many. However, the stark reality of dwindling burial space across the UK, particularly in densely populated urban centres like London, has necessitated a difficult legislative response. Cemeteries and graveyards are rapidly reaching capacity, creating a pressing challenge for future generations.

While it remains an offence to remove buried human remains without a specific licence, burial authorities have long held a controversial right to re-use graves, often by deepening them, after a period typically set at 75 years. This practice, though emotionally sensitive, has become increasingly vital for managing limited land resources. In 2025, this complex issue was addressed directly through the General Cemetery Act. This Act specifically granted certain burial authorities, such as those overseeing the historic Kensal Green Cemetery in London, the explicit legal right to "disturb human remains" for the purpose of increasing space for new burials.

This legislation acknowledges the severe constraints faced by many metropolitan cemeteries. It provides a legal framework for a practice that, while necessary, must be handled with the utmost respect and sensitivity. Protocols are typically put in place to ensure that families are consulted where possible, and that any re-interment or handling of remains is conducted with dignity and reverence. The Act underscores the difficult balance between preserving the sanctity of burial sites and addressing the practical and urgent need for more space in the UK’s crowded cities, ensuring that future generations also have access to dignified resting places.

These five laws, passed amidst a flurry of legislative activity in 2025, may not have commanded the same media attention as other high-profile acts. Yet, they collectively demonstrate the pervasive and often unexpected reach of parliamentary decisions, touching upon the welfare of animals, the accessibility of public services, the preservation of cultural symbols, the rights of renters, and even the solemn final resting places of individuals. They serve as a powerful reminder that the intricate machinery of government constantly shapes the subtle, yet significant, contours of everyday life across the nation.

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